Julian Whitlow was the first person Delia saw when she entered the estate.
He stopped at the bottom of the staircase.
“You.”
Delia tightened her grip on the sewing case.
“Sir.”
“From the bridal shop.”
“Yes.”
“You’re sewing for my wedding?”
“Mrs. Whitlow hired me.”
Julian looked embarrassed.
He remembered Monday.
Remembered Paige accusing her.
Remembered saying nothing.
“I stood there and said nothing.”
Delia looked at him.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t owe me—”
“I should have spoken.”
Delia’s expression softened slightly.
“How’s your face?”
“I’m fine, sir.”
“What happened?”
She shook her head.
“I’m here to work.”
Julian reached for her sewing bag.
“Let me carry that.”
She hesitated.
Then gave it to him.
A stitched name showed on the side.
ODESSA BANKS
“Who’s Odessa?”
“My mama.”
“She sew too?”
“Better than me.”
Julian smiled.
“That seems impossible.”
Delia ignored the compliment.
“She had an alteration shop.”
“Had?”
“It’s closed now.”
She looked toward the bag.
“Her machine still runs.”
“Old?”
“Older than me.”
Julian led her toward the sewing room.
Neither noticed Eleanor watching from the upper landing.
Earl stood beside her.
“He likes her.”
Eleanor whispered:
“He feels guilty.”
“Same face.”
“Not the same thing.”
Then Paige arrived.
She entered the sewing room carrying champagne.
She stopped when she saw Delia.
“No.”
Delia looked up.
“The pin girl?”
Paige laughed.
“They hired the girl I got fired?”
“Mrs. Whitlow hired me, miss.”
“Mrs. Whitlow hasn’t come downstairs once.”
Paige turned toward Loretta Whitlow, Julian’s mother.
“I haven’t even met her.”
Loretta smiled politely.
“Mother likes quiet before family events.”
Paige stepped onto the fitting platform.
“My hem is crooked.”
Delia knelt.
“Hold still.”
“Careful with those pins.”
“I will.”
“This dress costs more than your car.”
Delia adjusted the fabric.
Paige smiled toward Brynn.
“Do you even have a car, hon?”
“No, miss.”
The bridesmaids laughed.
Paige looked down.
“That’s crooked.”
“It isn’t.”
Paige’s eyes hardened.
“Take it out.”
Delia removed the stitches.
Again.
Then again.
Then Paige deliberately moved her foot onto Delia’s hand.
The needle slipped.
Delia gasped.
Julian entered.
“Paige.”
She moved her foot immediately.
“What?”
“Move.”
Delia’s hand trembled.
A line of blood appeared near one finger.
Julian crouched.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
Paige laughed.
“She’s doing her job.”
Julian stood.
“Let her do it.”
Paige stared at him.
Then he said something that surprised even Eleanor upstairs.
“She works in this house.”
He looked toward the bridesmaids.
“Laugh at her again and stay home Saturday.”
The room fell silent.
Eleanor smiled.
One step.
Julian had taken one step.
But Paige was not finished.
